· 3 min read
How to flush a water heater, and why it is worth twenty minutes a year
Sediment settles at the bottom of every tank water heater. Draining it once a year makes the heater quieter, cheaper to run and longer lived.
Hot water
Looking after a water heater, dealing with hard water, and choosing between a tank and a tankless heater when the time comes.
Hot water is easy to take for granted and expensive to get wrong. A tank heater that is never flushed dies young. A replacement chosen in a hurry, in a wet basement, is the one you live with for a decade. And in much of Bergen County, hard water is quietly at work on all of it.
The yearly twenty minutes
Flush the tank, check the relief valve's pipe, look at the base for rust, and confirm the thermostat is at 120°F. That is the whole maintenance routine for a tank heater, and it roughly doubles the odds of getting twelve years out of it instead of eight.
Planning the replacement
Find the manufacturing date on the label. If the heater is past ten years, read the tank-or-tankless guide now, get two quotes, and replace it on your own schedule.
The tips below cover flushing the tank, choosing a replacement, and hard water.
What this topic covers
- Yearly maintenance in twenty minutes
- Lukewarm water, odd noises and rusty water
- Choosing a replacement before it chooses the moment
Common questions
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in New Jersey?
Yes. A water heater replacement requires a permit and an inspection, and gas work must be done under a licensed master plumber. A reputable installer includes the permit in the job.
The hot water smells of rotten eggs. Is it dangerous?
Usually not: it is a reaction between the anode rod in the tank and bacteria in the water, common on wells. A plumber can replace the anode with a different type and disinfect the tank. If the smell is in the cold water too, have the water tested.
Tips on this topic
· 3 min read
Tank or tankless: choosing a replacement water heater
When the old water heater goes, you have a few days to choose. Here is how tank and tankless heaters compare on cost, hot water, space and running costs, so you can decide before you need to.
· 3 min read
Hard water: what it does to your plumbing and what to do about it
White crust on the faucets, spotted glasses and a water heater that rumbles are all signs of hard water. Here is what it is, what it costs you, and the options from a bottle of vinegar to a softener.
· 3 min read
Water heater noises: what each sound means
Rumbling, popping, hissing, ticking or a high whine from the water heater each point to something different. Most are harmless with a little attention; one or two are not.
Need a professional?
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